We took the train into Brisbane city center for a full day of exploring. It’s really a nice city. They’ve clearly invested in their infrastructure with lots of parks and water features and good transportation connections. For only about US$5 each we bought day passes which covered the 30 minute train rides into and out of the city plus any rides we took that day on the buses or water taxi. The city straddles the Brisbane River so the water taxi, called the City Cat (it’s a catamaran), is a scenic and efficient way to get around.
For a city of close to 2 million people there was very little trash or graffiti in Brisbane and surprisingly few homeless people evident, at least by American standards. Our self-guided walking tour gave us a good introduction to the city and brought us first to city hall, through its museum and to the top of its bell tower for panoramic views. We also ventured through a beautiful botanical garden, a lively pedestrian mall, and the public spaces that line the river. There will be return trips.
View from the Bell Tower.
Display in the City Hall Museum, possibly inspired by Sarah Palin.
This tree just swallowed the previous gardner.
Having a beer on Queen Street Mall. Note that Deborah's is half empty while I'm just getting started.
Parlimentary House
Botanical gardens featuring an Australian White Ibis which, as exotic looking as they are, are actually as common here as seagulls are back home.
Botanical gardens. Not sure what these are but I love the colors.
Man-made creek which ties into a series of swimming pools that are part of the beautiful South Bank park area - all free and open to the public.
More South Bank. Sand bottomed swimming pool with views of the skyscrapers across the river.
Sculptural path leading along the river in South Bank.
Ferris wheel in South Bank.
Deborah on the ferris wheel (not too reluctantly).
View from the ferris wheel looking down the river.